Telford and District Tree of Light held its presentation evening, hosted by Rotary Club of Wellington President John Wardle at the Buckatree Hall Hotel.
This year the Telford Tree of Light, which is run by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Telford Centre, Wellington and The Wrekin, celebrated its 21st Anniversary. Chair of the Telford Tree of Light organising committee, Rotarian Peter Seaward, said, “We are delighted to announce that this year the Telford Tree of Light will distribute £42,000 to local charities. This is thanks to the wonderful generosity of the people of Telford who donate to The Tree of Light to remember their loved ones at Christmas time.”
Chair of the Trustees of the Rotary Clubs of Telford & Wrekin Trust Fund, Rotarian Paul Booth, under whose auspices the Tree of Light operates said, “ The names of those remembered are displayed around the Tree of Light in Telford Shopping Centre, in Carol’s Cafe at Wellington Market, at the offices of Tranter Lowe in Dawley and Oakengates and at Truffles Cafe in Ironbridge. The names are also published in the Telford Journal and on the Tree of Light website. Since 2001 the Severn Hospice has received half of the funds donated with the remainder donated to charities that serve the people of Telford. These are chosen by each of the four Rotary Clubs. The full cost of the appeal is met by the business community, other organisations and the Rotary Clubs themselves. This means that the entire amount donated by the public is distributed to the good causes.”
President David Jefferies of the Ironbridge Club gave a cheque for £2625 to Hiliary Knight of Age UK [Telford & Wrekin]; President John Wardle of the Rotary Club of Wellington presented a cheque for £2625 to Julia Allinson of Home Start, Telford & Wrekin and President Robyn Davies of the Rotary Club of the Wrekin gave £5250 to Steve Watkins of KIP. President Chris Mackrell of the Rotary Club of Telford Centre supported by President John and President David, presented a cheque for £10,500 to Lynsey Kilvert of Hope House in celebration of their 21 birthday which happily co-incided with that of the Telford Tree of Light. Finally Chairman of the Tree of Light Committee, Peter Seaward, presented £21,000 to David Sear of Severn Hospice.
In conclusion Peter thanked everyone for their support during this year and over his past four years during his tenure as organising Committee Chair. He added that Rtn Max Clowes of the Rotary Club of Ironbridge was taking on the role for the 2017 campaign and wished him well.
